JOSEPH WELLBORN

JOSEPH HALLER WELLBORN, SR., husband, father, grandfather, and avid Texas A&M supporter, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2012, at the age of 93.
He was a third generation Houstonian, born on June 7, 1919. He attended Houston schools and graduated in 1937 from Sam Houston High School. He attended A&M College of Texas (Texas A&M University), graduating in 1941 with a Petroleum Engineering degree. He worked briefly for Humble Oil & Refining Co. before he was called into service for his country as a commissioned officer. It was while he was stationed in Fort Sill, OK, that he met the girl he would marry, Emily Alexander. He trained many young soldiers in field artillery and it was after the atomic bombs hit Japan that he escorted 562 soldiers and 30 officers from Portland, Oregon to Nagasaki, Japan, for occupational duties. Following the war, he returned to work for the company now known as ExxonMobil where his ability to instruct young minds benefitted the company through years of growth and change. He trained a lot of young engineers and his motto was always "Safety first". His vigorous health also benefitted his employer as he achieved 43 years of perfect attendance before retiring in 1984.
His next great love other than family was for Texas A&M University. He was able to give several endowed scholarships to benefit deserving students. He simply said "I want to give back to the school that did so much for me". Among his gifts to Texas A&M are a Presidents' Endowed Scholarship, Endowed Opportunity Award Scholarships and a fellowship for the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. A longtime member of the 12th Man Foundation and the Century Club at the Association of Former Students, he also supported the Kyle Field Expansion, George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and other academic projects.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Emily Johnson Alexander. Joe is survived by his children, Joe Wellborn, Jr. and his wife Pam, Sue W. Cox and husband Allan, Pegi W. Cariker and husband Chris; seven grandchildren, Joe Wellborn III and wife Debbie, Alex Wellborn and wife Kim, Ryan Wellborn and wife Laura, Elizabeth Wellborn, Allan Cox and wife Gina, Caitlin Cox, Emily Cariker Shuart and husband Chris; twelve great-grandchildren, Sami and Joe Wellborn IV; Mary, Abbey and Marshall Wellborn; Claire and Dane Wellborn; Buck and Catie Koy, Meredith Cox, Jonathan and Margaret Shuart; nephews and niece, Captain Raymond B. Wellborn, USN Ret., Alex Martin and Trina Martin McCannon; special friend and cousin, Ann McStravick.
In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests donations to the 12th Man Foundation of Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 2800, College Station, TX 77841-2800 or Rotary International, 14280 Collections Dr., Chicago, Ill. 60692. The family wishes to give special thanks to Joe's caregivers, Reyna Nava, Mary Hunt, Jeanette Jones, Sandy Reeves and Alneisha Sharp for their exceptional, tender care and love that they showed Daddy.
Vistiation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Rosewood Funeral Home , Humble, with a vigil service to be held at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Rosewood Funeral Home Chapel. Entombment will follow at Rosewood Memorial Park, Mausoleum.